Program objectives

The Alzheimer’s Association (ALZ), The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) and The Weston Brain Institute announce a collaborative Request for Applications (RFA) to stimulate analyses across the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) research enterprises to engage in further data analysis of existing cohorts, including, but not limited to, biomarker discovery, standardization of assays, genetic profiles, and imaging modalities. The RFA aims to build on existing momentum to leverage similar activities and increase impact across the neurodegenerative disease spectrum. It also builds on recent evidence suggesting substantial overlap between AD, PD, and other neurodegenerative diseases pathologically, but also potentially biologically. The RFA is designed to enable preliminary pilot research or proof-of-principle studies utilizing data and/or samples from two large biomarker studies, the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) and the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), in order to garner further research support from other funding agencies.

Background

Although AD and PD are clinically distinct entities, research has hinted at underlying pathological, physiological, and possibly genetic linkages between these two diseases across the neurodegenerative continuum. Recent data reported at the 2013 Alzheimer’s Association’s International Conference® stimulated discussion in the research community about the possible cross talk between AD and PD. For example, underlying pathologies/biomarkers, such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) alpha-synuclein, have been measured in the sample sets collected for both diseases to help understand similarities and differences in these diseases. Furthermore, similar imaging modalities, such as MRI and PET, are being employed to interrogate changes that occur with disease progression. As therapeutic approaches are developed that may be disease-modifying for several neurodegenerative diseases, stratification of clinical trial populations based on biomarker profiles may increase the probability of success in demonstrating a beneficial effect.

Potential areas of study

Several areas of study worthy of further research may focus on projects that utilize existing data/samples to interrogate high-impact questions related to aging and neurodegeneration. Applications that are innovative, high-risk, high-reward and tackle critical scientific, diagnostic and therapeutic questions in AD and PD are encouraged. Please note that the use of both ADNI and PPMI data is a requirement of this RFA. Grant proposals could address, but are not limited to, the following areas of study:

Analysis of existing AD/PD datasets. While use of ADNI and PPMI data is required, research projects in this category could engage in analyses of control and disease populations that test hypotheses related to aging and neurodegenerative disorders. The ADNI and PPMI datasets include clinical, imaging and biologic data in publicly accessible databases that can be aggregated together in order to enhance our understanding of the unique and overlapping changes occurring in different neurodegenerative diseases. For instance, building on the whole genome sequencing of the ADNI 1 dataset, researchers could investigate PD-related genetic correlations (e.g., DJ-1) and assess prevalence of AD-related genetic markers (e.g., ApoE4) in PD-specific datasets. Applicants are encouraged to draw on other cohort studies to complement the ADNI and PPMI data.

Standardization of data acquisition/methods/quality control/assays. Research projects in this category should focus on cross-standardization efforts between biochemical biomarkers (e.g., possible coordination of alpha-synuclein analyzed in both ADNI and PPMI), the identification of other panels/pathways that may be duplicative in disease mechanisms (e.g., targeted analysis of inflammation or apoptosis), and the standardization of existing MRI methods/data acquisition.

Biomarker cross talk between AD and PD. Research projects in this category should focus on the translation of novel biomarker efforts to identify shared and disparate biochemical biomarkers. Projects may investigate AD samples for PD-related biomarkers or, conversely, PD samples for AD-related biomarkers, or may suggest new PD/AD biomarkers for analyses. Data of this nature will be useful in identifying subpopulations within individuals affected by AD or PD.

Investigate common mechanisms across the broader spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases. Research projects in this category will assess the commonality and potential mechanisms engaged across the disease spectrum – including AD and PD, as well as Lewy Body dementia (LBD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The value in this area of study is the identification of high-return targets for therapeutic intervention or modification.

General considerations

All proposals must have a clear focus on AD, PD and/or other neurodegenerative diseases. Applicants should request support to use the ADNI and PPMI data/samples and possibly other existing datasets. Prospective data collection or cohort-building is not appropriate for this RFA, but use of data and/or samples from other existing cohorts is permissible.

Ultimately, the goal of this program is to translate the research into strategies to increase understanding of the similarities or differences between AD and PD to help stratify populations and possible treatments. Therefore, animal studies are not appropriate for this RFA.

Because the principal idea is to encourage studies building on existing cohorts, bridging the neurodegenerative continuum and building diverse expertise, an interdisciplinary approach may be the most fruitful. Therefore, submissions from collaborative research teams (i.e., basic scientists and clinical researchers) that have experience across aging and neurodegenerative diseases are strongly encouraged. In addition, while novel and creative ideas are sought, proposals also need to demonstrate feasibility.

Available funding

The Alzheimer's Association, The Michael J. Fox Foundation and The Weston Brain Institute anticipate funding multiple awards under this program. Applicants may request up to two years and $150,000 in total costs, inclusive of both direct and indirect costs. Exceptions for particularly unique projects or projects that span the globe will be considered, but requests that exceed $150,000 must be well justified. Indirect costs may not exceed 10 percent of direct costs. Please note that rent for laboratory/office space is expected to be covered by indirect costs paid to the institution.

Eligibility

Researchers with full-time staff or faculty appointments are encouraged to apply. Post-doctoral fellows are eligible to apply as a principal investigator (PI), but must collaborate with an administrative PI who serves as the director of the laboratory in which the research will be conducted. The administrative PI will be responsible for assisting in providing all institutional documents required for the project and will be required to sign any award contract. Training or mentoring-only proposals will not be considered.

Budget and allowable costs

It is required that funds awarded under this program be used for direct research support. Budgets must be appropriate and justifiable for the work described.

Funds awarded may be used for:

Laboratory supplies

Salary for the principal investigator, scientific (including post-doctoral fellows) and technical staff (including laboratory technicians and administrative support staff whose work is directly related to the funded project)

Funds awarded cannot be used for:

Tuition

Computer hardware or software for investigators and other capital equipment